What’s on at The Willow Gallery!

WHAT’S ON AT THE WILLOW GALLERYThe Willow is excited to welcome you to join us for a wonderful variety of events, exhibitions and workshops for all agesthis summer. Please scroll down for full details.

Recently identified by the Shropshire Star as “one to watch”, The Gregory S. Davies Band is a new Americana-style collective fronted by local singer-songwriter Gregory Davies. With a diverse sound encompassing gypsy folk, latin, blues, boogie-woogie and americana, the group will be playing acoustic versions of songs taken from their 2013 album ‘Santiago’, which includes a BBC Radio Shropshire Song of the Month .

Local favourites Little Red Bird will also be performing a collection of songs sure to get you on your feet.

A special selection of food will be served by the Willow Eatery from 7pm and throughout the evening. Please book in advance to reserve a table.

Film @ The Willow – Monday the 2nd September – from 7pm

Special event showcasing a selection of contemporary artists films in connection with the natural selection exhibition. Hopefully this will become a regular fixture in the Willow Gallery calendar.

Artists working at The Willow – Artist in Residency/Studio Spaces AvailableInternationally renowned oil painter Karl Robinson-Bray is currently working daily in a studio space at the Willow Gallery. The Willow Gallery has several bright, spacious and historical studio spaces available to rent and can also offer artists the opportunity to run workshops and courses, have their work promoted within the Willow Gallery and on the website and publications etc…

The gallery also runs Artist in Residency and Artist in the Gallery schemes.

Please contact the Willow Gallery for further information

Children’s Events & Art Workshops

Summer Holiday Workshops – Wednesdays & Fridays 1-3pm. Suitable for ages 6-12 years
Get Creative this Summer with an exciting variety of art workshops. Take home what you make.

All workshops are £6 per child including materials. Please book in advance.

Workshops:

Printmaking Taster Session with Ben Partridge. Saturday 21st September.10.30am – 4pmUnlock your printmaking potential in this lively introduction to a variety of printmaking techniques. Get to grips with process and discover the exciting variety of printmaking methods at your fingertips. Suitable for complete beginners or those that haven’t pulled a print in a while.

Introduction to Printmaking: Collagraph and Dry Point with Ben Partridge.

6 weekly sessions. Fridays. Starting: Friday 27th September. (4pm – 7pm)
Get to grips with two accessible and versatile printmaking processes through these informal weekly sessions. Participants will have the opportunity to incorporate collaged materials into rich, textural collagraphs and explore line and tone through the medium of dry point. Materials will be provided and participants will have the opportunity to create a small edition of a print of their choice. Suitable for beginners or those wanting to extend their printmaking repertoire.

Discover the exciting world of oil painting through this inspiring starter course. Ideal for those who wish to learn and develop skills in a variety of oil painting techniques and gain confidence with this medium. The sessions will also cover advice on materials, colour mixing and the exploration of a range of subject matter and painting styles. Throughout the course we will study the work of historical and contemporary painters. Demonstrations, group discussions and individual advice and assistance will be given. Enjoy having time to be creative.

Create your own unique felt artwork with expert guidance from professional artist Sue Mulcock. Bring your own photograph or image to inspire your exploration with colour and texture. A variety of felting techniques and British wool types will be explored.

Max Studied fine art in Florence, Italy, and has recently had work shortlisted for the Royal Society of Portrait painters exhibition in London.

For all courses and workshops please book in advance as places are limited

Dunbabin Room – Available to hire for functions, courses, exhibitions and events.

Exhibitions

Sara & Edwin John Collective Exhibition – 29th June – 17th August.

The Willow Gallery is privileged to be showcasing works from this distinguished family of Welsh Artists. Both son and granddaughter of Augustus John will have their artwork exhibited together for the first time in this special exhibition. With an upbringing nurtured by Augustus and his sister Gwen John, Edwin and Sara were influenced by two of Wales’s greatest visual artists. A wide selection of oil paintings, watercolors, drawings and studies, specially selected from Sara’s studios in London and Wales will be on display. This exciting exhibition is likely to attract interest from a wide audience due to the rarity of this first time collection of Sara and Edwins works inspired by the Welsh landscape and their travels.

‘Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better’ Albert Einstein

An open exhibition of contemporary, innovative and traditional works of art, in a wide range of media. This fascinating exhibition will explore our relationship with the natural world, address current conservation issues and celebrate the local landscape and heritage.

If you are interested in entering work into this exhibition please contact the gallery for further information.Feature Artists:

Sue Mulcock: Atmospheric felt paintings created from a variety of British wools and beautifully embellished these wonderful works of art capture the subtle colours, atmosphere and topography of the British landscape.

Steve Ferguson: Creating vibrant and painterly works of art, Steve channels his inspiration from nature, texture and form. He is particularly influenced by Cornish artists and sculptures. A selection of Steve’s paintings of Birds in Acrylic on reclaimed wood, will be exhibited throughout July and August.

Lyn Evans: Lyn Evans captures the essence of local scenes and areas of natural beauty through her bright and eye catching collages.

Boo: Free flowing ephemeral paintings of fish from a underwater viewpoint glimmer, glisten and shine in the sunlight that streams through the surface of the water. Boo’s use of metal leaf adds to the reflective quality of the work.

Gerald Dewsbury: Gerald Dewsbury is known for his intricate and beautiful oil paintings of trees, woodlands and surrounding hills. His paintings combine vivid colours with his distinguished style resulting in a unique representation of nature.

Llewellyn Cummings: With his timeless style and dynamic use of oil paint he captures the atmosphere and essence of the landscape.

Ostinelli & Priest: Renowned sculptors Ostinelli and Priest are currently exhibiting a selection of their unique animal sculptures, including dogs, bulls and horses. Their distinct techniques and delicate colour pallet enables the artists to embody the character and personality of the animals in a way that is unique to them.

Allanah Piesse: figurative acrylic paintings reflect aspects of mythology. She creates stories through the juxtaposition of objects and figures. The concept of time, past, present and future become intertwined in these surreal and sometimes eerie paintings. Colour and texture are also an important aspect of Allanah’s work.

Willow Eatery is the newly refurbished cafe at the Willow Gallery. Under new management since April 2013, it is run by Lindsay Chaplin from Lindsay’s Cakery. Serving a range of fresh, tasty home-baked cakes and lunches including quiches, soup with homemade rolls, paninis, wraps, locally sourced Treflach Farm free-range pies and more. Drinks available include fair trade coffee made with organic milk, loose-leaf speciality teas, milkshakes and soft drinks. Catering for the individual, Gluten-free snacks, decaf tea and coffee and soya milk available.

Drinks, cakes and a selection of lunch options are now available for Takeaway too!

We are now offering ‘Afternoon Tea at Willow Eatery’, so please pop in or email us at willoweatery@gmail.com to enquire about enjoying a relaxing afternoon full of scrumptious delights within the Willow Gallery. Afternoon Tea vouchers make the perfect gift. (Please book Afternoon Tea at Willow Eatery at least one week in advance. Time restrictions may apply).

Please contact the gallery for further information.

Craft Fairs – A Celebration of Local Crafts

Autumn Craft Fair- Saturday 26th October

Winter Craft Fair – Saturday 20th December

If you are interested in booking a craft stall please contact the gallery for further information.

The gallery is launching an exciting programme of ‘Artist in the Gallery’ and we are very keen for you to be involved. Every Saturday or Wednesday we are hoping to have an artist being creative in the gallery. This could involve sketching, painting, sewing, knitting, hand throwing pots, card making, silk painting, etc… This will be a great opportunity for artists to be able to share and further promote their work. This will also enable gallery visitors to gain an insight into the creative process and the time and skill involved in hand crafted items. Any artist working in the gallery will be promoted on the what’s on and gallery website/blog, If you would like to be involved then please contact the Willow for further information.

The Willow Gallery CIC is a not-for-profit organisation run for the community, mainly by volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering at The Willow or would like to support the gallery in any way, either through a donation or your time, skills or financial support, then please contact the gallery. Any support is much appreciated.